Game apparatus.



Nb. 685,006. Patented out. 2v2, mol.

T. w. Peck.

GAME APPARATUS.

(Application mad 'my 1. 1901.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 685,005. "Patented oct. 22,-|9n|. T. W. PECK.

GAME APPARATUS.

(Application med May 1, 1901. (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS W. PECK, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

GAME- APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 685,096, dated October 22, 1901.

Application filed May l, 1901. Serial No. 58,378. (N o model.)

To all whom. it may concern.-

Kings and State of NewYork, have invented Figure 1 is a plan View of agame apparatus constructed in accordance with myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of said apparatus, a portion thereof being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a rear end view of said apparatus. Fig. t is a detail sectional View showing the construction of the object-impeller which I make use of.

Similar reference numerals denote like parts throughout the several views of the` drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in structures of that class commonly known as game apparatus and which may be utilized in various localities for the double purpose of amusement and testing the skill of the user in the operation of the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus which shall be simple, inexpensive, and novel as regards construction, which shall embody an object or plurality of objects movable in the operation of the device after the manner of base-runners in the well-known game of base-ball, which shall embody means whereby an initial impetus maybe imparted to said object or objects, which shall embody means for causing said object or objects to move from point to point along a predetermined course, which shall embody mechanism capable of impellin g spherical or other suitable objects a distance through space and whereby under 'certain conditions the initial impetus above named is imparted to said movable object or objects, and which shall possess certain well-defined advantages over prior' analogous constructions. Y

The invention consists in the employment of certain parts novel in the matter of form, in the novel disposition and arrangement of the various parts, in certain combinations of the latter, and in certain details of construction, all of which will be specifically referred 'legs 2' orfthe like.` The base 2 tohereinaftelg and set forth in the appended Beit known that I, THOMAS NV. PECK, a c itizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, Brooklyn borough, in the county of 1 claims.

Having reference to the. accompanying drawings, 2V is a base supported by suitable Y is provided with a slot-like opening 3, in general contour approximately that of the baselines of a baseball field. I prefer to extend along each side of this opening track-rails, as 6, forming a trackway. l

7 represents one of a number of objects, each of which may be mainly in the form of an individual or otherwise, as deemed best, and comprising a base 7', adapted in the operation of the apparatus to engage and slide along the base 2 at the opening 3 or the tracks operation, I provide the base 7' with a weight f 8, which may be carried by a part S', depending from said base 7', as illustrated in the drawings.

To the end that an initial impetus may be imparted to the object 7 I provide a springl actuated plunger 9, having a vertical arm 9', engaging the slot 10 in the base 2 and adapted to move to and fro therein. The slot 10 is provided with a lateral recess at its rear end, which 4may be engaged by the radial arm 9' when the plunger 9 is moved rearwardly against the tendency of the spring 11 and given a slight rotary movement, thus resulting in the plunger 9 being temporarily held against the action of said spring until required for service. I also employ a device for re-A leasing the plunger 9 from `this locked p0- sition and so as to permit the spring to act thereon in a manner to forcibly thrust said plunger forward. The releasing device herein referred to comprises the rotatable upright v IOO moral 14) of the slot 3 and adjacent'to the service end of said plunger. Upon the initial impetus being imparted to the object 7, which causes said object to move somewhat along the slot 3, the same is engaged by one of the radial members, as 14, of the horizontally-disposed wheel 15, duly mounted to rotate, as on the shaft 15', and for imparting a rotary movement, to which I have herein illustrated a train of spring-actuated intermeshing gear-wheels, as 16 16 17, and also a drum 17for containing the well-known clockspring, which may be wound up by any suitable means, as the key 1S. -lVhile I have shown clock mechanism as a means for imparting suitable movement to the wheel 15, I do not wish to be limited thereto, as for this purpose other motors, power-generators,

or analogous mediums may be substituted therefor. It is further essential that means be employed whereby the wheel 15 may be cheeked and temporarily held against :rotative movement at variable points in its rotative movement. the wheel 15 as provided with a plurality of spokes. (Indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 ot' the drawings.) I have further shown the lever 19 fulcrumed at 1Q and provided at its free end with an upwardly-projecting stop 20 for engagement of one of said spokes when the parts of the apparatus are at rest or held against movement. For the purpose of normally holding said lever in position, so that its stop 20 will engage one of the spokes of the wheel 15 for the purpose named, I employ the elastic element 20', whose tendency is to depress that portion of said lever extending rearwardly of its fulcrum.

Further, in connection with my improved apparatus I purpose to employ an impeller located at a distance trom the entrance end of the slot 3, the same being here shown as comprising a barrel 2l, arranged between and journaled in the opposing standards 22 22' and having` a plunger 2l' controlled by the spring 23, the stem of which plunger projects outwardly from and beyond the butt of the barrel 2l to permit the same to be manipulated by the user. The stem of the plunger 2l carries a lateral lug 23, adapted under certain conditions to engage the pivotallydisposed catch 24, here shown as supported f by the standard 2st and connected with the rear end of the lever 1!) by means of the link 25. If deemed essential, undue direct movement of the catch 24 may be prevented by any suitable means, as the vertical stop 26, and an undue downward movement of the muzzle end of the barrel 21 may, when desired, be prevented by any suitable means, as the vertical stop 26. v

Where the base 2 is provided with a slot, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, that portion of said base bounded by said slot may lack suitable rigidity, and to the end that the same may be rendered suitably rigid to perform its function vertical ties, as 27 27', may be em- To this end I have shown esaoce ployed, the same being here shown as comprising each 4parallel upright members con nected at their upper ends by a suitable crosspiece, thereby causing each of said ties to approximate the contour of an inverted U, straddling the slot3.

In practice the movable object 7 may bear distinguishing characters or be variably colored.

I further employ an object, as 25', which may be spherical in contour, approximate the form of an arrow, or may be ot' any other suitable and desired shape. This object may also be formed of any suitable material.

The apparatus may be availed of by one or more persons, and where a pluralityof persons make use ofthe apparatus each is allotted a number of the objects 7, bearing characters, whereby each of the players may identify such objects as belong to his allotment.

28 is a vertical guard for arresting the progress of the object 25 when discharged from the barrel 21. An analogous guard of suitable height may be provided, it' deemed advisable, to extend continuously along the remaining edges of the base 2.

In the absence of the tracks 5 6 the base of theobject 7 will engage the side edges of the slot 3 and slide therealong, and the term trackway will be hereinafter employed to denote the slot 3, whether or not the latter be provided with tracks, as herein described, for the reason that the bearing surfaces or lilies presented at the sides of said slot may in a sense be regarded as tracks.

The source of power being in readiness for service, one of the players places one of the objects 7 belonging to his allotment at the entrance end of the trackway, grasps the stem of the plunger and imparts a rearward movement to the said plunger against the tension of the spring 23, at the same time manipulating the barrel 21 on its trunnions in a manner to insure engagement of the lug 23 with the catch 14, when he releases his grasp on said plunger-stem. Still holding said plunger against the tension of the spring 23, the player now endeavors to aline the barrel 2l with the arm 12', and when he believes that he has accomplished this task he releases his grasp on the said plunger-stem, thereby causing the object 25 to be forcibly thrust from the barrel 21 in the direction of the arm 12. Now if the player succeeds in accurately alining the barrel 21 with the arm 12 the object 25' will forciblyengage said arm, thus causing the upright 12 to move in a manner to bring the arm 13 in contact with the arm 9 of the plunger 9, thus releasing said plunger from its locked position and permitting the spring 11 to act thereon, so that the object 7 receives from said plunger an initial impetus and is moved from the entrance end of the trackway to about the position indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and at the same time the wheel 15 will, through the actions of the lever 19, catch 24:, and coperat- IOO IIO

ing parts, move as in the direction indicated by the arrow 2S in Fig. 1, and under impulse imparted thereto by its drivin g-motor or analogous power-generator, with the result that one of its radial circumferential projections engages the object 7 and moves it to a definite point along the trackway, which.point may be regarded as first base. rlhe object 7 may be likewise moved to another definite point along the trackway, which point may be regarded as second base, from whence it may be moved to another definite point along the trackway, which point may be regarded as third base, and from lthe latter point the object may be likewise moved to the terminus, which point may be regarded as home base.77 When the user releases the stem of the in'ipeller-plunger, as above described, catch 24 is swung forward a suiiicient degree to permit the lug carried by said stem to escape from engagement with said catch, thus permitting the said catch, lever, and cooperating parts to be returned to their normal positions, as through the action of the spring 20', in readiness to check the wheel 15 at variable points in its rotative movement and as through the engagement of the stop 20 with one of the spokes of said Wheel. 1f the player referred to fails to truly aline the barrel 21,50 as to cause the release of the plunger 9 in the manner specified, the object 9 will remain located at the entrance end of the trackway, notwithstanding the fact that wheel 15 will be liberated for movement and Will move until checked by stop 20 and cooperating parts, as herein specified, whereupon the object 7 will be replaced at the entrance end of the trackway by an object 7 belonging to the allotment of the next player, and the latter performs in his turn the operations herein described.

The intent of each player will be to start the objects 7 belonging to his allotment, one at a time, at the entrance of the trackway and cause them to accordingly intermittently move along the trackway and be finally delivered at the terminus thereof out of reach of the radial proj eetions with which the wheel 15 is provided, the terminus of said trackway being extended beyond the circumferential path traveled by said projections, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

It will be observed that the game to be played by the user or users approximates that of the well-known game of base-ball, that the apparatus may be availed of in other ways for amusement purposes and by one or more persons at a time, that the apparatus is Well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed, and, further, that the same may be modified to an extent, particularly in the matter of details of the general construction and form of various of the parts,without material departure from the spirit and principle of my invention.

' Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with a trackway; an object at said trackway, adapted to be moved therealong and projecting downwardly through said base; a rotatable part situated below said base and adapted to engage and move said object along the trackway, the latter at its terminus extending radially outward beyond the reach of said part; means for imparting motion to said part; and means for temporarily checking and holding said part at variable points in its rotative movement.

2. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with a trackway; an object at the entrance end of said trackway and adapted to be moved along the trackway a rotatable part adapted to engage and move said object along the track- Way, the entrance end of the latter being extended beyond the reach of the said rotatable part; means for imparting an initial impetus to said object, and whereby the latter may be moved in position for engagement by said part; and means for temporarily checking said part-at variable points in its rotative movement.

3. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with a trackway; a rotatable part capable of engaging and moving an object along said trackway; means for imparting movement to said part; means for temporarily checking and holding said part against rotative movement; an impeller on said base for forcibly discharging a spherical or other suitable object; and elements intermediate of said impeller and said rotatable part whereby the latter will be liberated for movement through the action of said impeller in discharging therefrom the said spherical or otherobject.

4. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with a trackway; a rotatable part capable of engaging and moving an object along said trackway; means for imparting movement to said part; a spring-controlled lever for temporaril-y checking and holding said part against rotative movement, an impeller on said base for forcibly discharging a spherical or other suitable object; and elements intermediate of said impeller and said lever whereby the latter will be actuated in a manner to liberate said part for movement through the action of said impeller in discharging therefrom the said spherical or other object.

5. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with a trackway; a rotatable part capable of engaging and moving an object along said trackway; means forimparting movement to said part; a spring-controlled lever for temporarily checking and holdingsaid part against rotative movement; an impeller on said base ICO IIO

and comprising a spring-controlled plunger having` a stem provided with a lug; a pivotally-disposed catch; and a link connecting said lever and said catch, the parts being arranged so that said levei` will be actuated in a manner to liberate said rotatable part through themovement of said impeller-plunger when caused by its coperating spring.

6. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with a trackway; an object, as 7, at said trackway and capable of being moved from point to point therealong; means for forcibly impelling an object, as 25', through space and along variable planes with respect to said base; means for cooperation with said impelled object, as 25', and whereby said object, as 7, may be given an initial impetus; mechanism for impelling said object, as 25'; and means for coperation with said impelling mechanism and whereby said object, as 7, may be caused to move along said traciway upon the discharge of said object, as 25', from said impelling mechanism.

7. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with a trackway an object, as 7, at said trackwayand capable of being moved therealong; a springcontrolled plunger for imparting an initial impetus to said object, as 7; means for locking said plunger against action as due to its controlling-spring; mechanism for releasing said plunger; a rotatable part for moving said object, as 7, along said trackway; means for imparting movement to said part; asuitablyfulcrumed, spring-controlled lever normally checking and holding said rotatable part against movement; an impeller having a spring-controlled plunger, on said base and distanced from the said plunger-releasing mechanism; an object, as 25', to be forcibly urged through space along variable planes with respect to said base, and through the action of said im peller-plunger; and parts intermediate of said impeller-plunger and said lever whereby, upon movement being imparted to the former as by its controlling-spring, the latter will liberate said rotatable part for movement, the said object, as 25', when impelled, being adapted to affect said plungerreleasing mechanism in a manner to cause the release of the plunger first named, when looked against the action of its controllingspring.

8. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with an opening conforming substantially to the baselines of a base-ball field; track-rails along said opening at the upper side of said base; an object, as 7, on said track-rails and adapted to be moved therealong, the said object having a weighted member projecting downwardly through said base by way of said opening; an impeller for forcibly impelling an object, as 25', through space and along variable planes with respect to said base; a rotatable part for engagement with said object, as 7, and situated below said base; means for imparting movement to said part; and connections between said impeller and said part whereby the latter will be liberated for movement through the action of said impeller in discharging said object, as 25'.

9. An apparatus of the class herein described comprising a base provided with an opening contormingsubstantially to the bascllnes of a base-ball iield; track-rails along said opening at the Lipper side of said base; an impeller for forcibly discharging an object, as 25', through space and along variable planes with respect to said base; an object, as 7, on said track-rails and adapted to be moved from point to point therealong, the said object last named having a weighted member projecting downwardly through said base by way of said opening; arotatable part situated below said base and adapted to engage said object, as 7, upon the latter receiving an initial impetus; and mechanism for cooperating with said impelled object, as 25',

and whereby said initial impetus will be imparted to said object, as 7.

lO. ln a game apparatus, in combination, a base; arotatable part, as l5, situated below said base; a trunnioned object-impeller on said base at the upper side thereof; means for imparting movement to said rotatable part; a lever, as l5, for checking and holding said part at variable points in its rotative movement; and connections, as the link 25 and catch 2l,whereby the said lever may be moved to liberate said rotatable part for movement through the action of said impeller in discharging an object, as 25'.

THOMAS W. PECK. Witnesses:

ALBERT C. TANNER, II. M. VERMILYA..

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